Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2024 logo
On Oct. 1, Condé Nast Traveler announced that Columbus earned a spot in its prestigious 2024 Readers' Choice Awards as a Top 10 Best Big City in the nation! Others on the list included Chicago, Washington, D.C and Boston.
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Ohio State University New Students

Welcome to Columbus, students! You chose the best school in the best city and you’re sure to have the best four (or more) years of your life! Whether you’ve lived in Columbus your whole life or your new to the city, state or country, there’s so much to know and explore about Columbus! Take it from us – we’re the destination marketing organization responsible for promoting the country’s 14th largest city.

Columbus at a Glance

Exceptional

68% of overnight travelers to Columbus said they were very satisfied with their overall trip experience, according to 2022 visitor research by Longwoods International.

Smart

As the winner of the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) first-ever Smart City Challenge, Columbus was awarded $50 million in grant funding and the designation as America's Smart City.

Safe

Columbus is committed to the safety of our residents and visitors. In fact, Safety Ambassadors are available to serve as safety escorts in several neighborhoods, including the Short North and Downtown.

Inclusive

Expedia named Columbus one of the most exciting LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations in the world, and Columbus has continually scored 100s on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index.

Dynamic

Named one of the Best Cities for Gen Z by The New York Times, one of the Top 25 Convention Cities by Meeting Source and one of the Best Weekend Getaways by Midwest Living, Columbus is a top place to visit and live.

Booming

The population of Columbus is growing and thriving, with the city named one of the 10 Best Big Cities to Live in Right Now and a top place to live for millennials by TIME and a Best American City to Work in Tech from Smart Asset.

*Columbus, OH received the highest numerical score among 8 cities in the Midwest in the J.D. Power 2016 Destination Experience Satisfaction Study, based on 26,124 total responses, measuring the experiences and perceptions of travelers who visited a top 50 U.S. destination, surveyed February-July 2016. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

Districts: 5 on High

As you may have figured out before, High Street, running right through campus will take you miles and miles both north and south through a slew of unique and fun-filled neighborhoods waiting for exploration. 

Five neighborhoods on five miles on High St. in Columbus

Creative Culture

Festivals are Back!

After a two-year hiatus, Columbus is thrilled to welcome back visitors for its full slate of...

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Visual Arts

Can there ever be too many murals? We say no. On our streets or in our acclaimed museums and...

Performing Arts

Are you moved by ballet, stunned by symphony, or thrilled by theatre? See world-renowned talent in...

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Fashion

Columbus is home to more fashion designers than any U.S. city, outside of New York City and Los...

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Food Scene 

Columbus’ incredible food scene features top-ranked chefs, a rich farm-to-table movement, one-of-a-kind restaurants, and creative takes on classic dishes. From fast-casual to fine-dining, you won’t have a problem finding something to suit every taste in the city that Food & Wine named one of the 32 Places to Go (and Eat) in 2019.

The hustle and bustle of North Market, located in the Arena District, is a must-see. A colorful blend of butchers, grocers, bakers, restaurateurs, and more, the North Market is Central Ohio’s oldest public market. You’re sure to feel the diversity, locality, and vibrancy of Columbus.

Columbus Has No Offseason

Throughout the year, the thrill of pro sports pulses in downtown’s Arena District. Columbus is home to professional sports, nationally recognized collegiate athletic programs and elite annual events, including the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. The city also often draws premier hosted events, including the 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four. Aside from the obvious Ohio State University sports, Columbus is also home to other sporting teams as well providing lots of excitement.